Pssst - Today's the day!!

Lots and lots of last minute making going on here this week. Sewing, painting, waxing, papering, mod podging... you name it I've done it.

Today is the launch of Custard Hall and I spent a few happy hours there last night pricing and prettifying.

This memo is made from original old cowboy fabric.

 Yet more lavender pillows from the vintage alpine fabric - it's eeking out well.

After Saturday's suitcase sales I had to cover another two to replenish. This time I've made a cowboy themed one

 

 and another with Ladybird children.

Topping up the cot full of cushions

 More utility china crates

 A stunning Mobo horse just ready to be found under the Christmas tree.

 

  I'll post some more photos tomorrow after the launch but this is what it was looking like at about 10pm last night! 

 

 

Time to catch up with a coffee and all your blogs now...



Welcome to Custard Hall

Well here it is, as promised, my space...

Sunday afternoon saw me set about transforming this empty little space into part of Dorchester's newest shop on the high street and a vintage one at that!!

This little adventure has all been a bit of a whirl over the last three weeks. I have a new friend Jenny who turns out to be a blogger too. So lovely to meet someone and then find out they share the same past time! Anyway, Jenny told me about a new vintage shop opening in Dorchester town centre and even better gave me the number. After dilly dallying last week she egged me on and hey presto here I am nearly ready to go.

 Custard Hall in Antelope Walk opens on Thursday and will remain open into the evening for Christmas Cracker Night. Mine is only a tiny part of what looks to be a great shop selling vintage china, collectables, clothes, books, furniture...

 Just got to fill my downstairs space and get everything priced...

If you're in Dorchester do pop in and take a nosey.



Swapping and space

This was the scene in my kitchen this morning. Ages ago I signed up to take part in Laa Laa's Advent swap. Imagine my delight when this lovely box of goodies turned up from my swap partner PJ of The Snail Garden. I knew it was going to be good by the care that had gone into the wrapping and tagging!

PJ sent me this lovely handmade card which is just fantastic and I've no idea how she did it.

 Yesterday saw the opening of Present 1. My little jammers were very excited about this. They have been intrigued by the whole swap business - sending presents to a stranger. On shopping trips they have made suggestions, along the lines of "You could get this for that lady" - sometimes appropriate, sometimes not!

 So they were thrilled when I unwrapped not one little stocking but two and each with a cute little chocolate Santa and told them I thought they were probably for them.

Today was definitely not for them but me. A mini perfume - lucky me!

Thank you so much PJ if you're reading. I can't wait for tomorrow.

 

Meanwhile so dry weather has meant I could get better photos of my bags for my etsy shop.

It's a bit depleted now because I had a great time at this little event and had to come home and delete the listings!

Mrs Darling's Festival of Christmas saw two lovely customers trundle off with suitcases and others with cushions and little makes.

 In my garage this week these two rather sorry pushchairs (yes that's what they are) have been undergoing a makeover.

 This one had a complete respray, its original seat cleaned and new ribbon trim.

Finally I shall leave you with a space and tomorrow I shall let you know how it came to be mine, what I'm filling it with and most importantly where it is...



Red and white love

 This week I am loving using my vintage alpine barkcloth. I was so pleased with my bags I started dreaming of all sorts of things I could make with the rest of it! so before I dare chop into the final piece I've been using up smaller pieces to make purses and lavender pillows. Everything is being embellished with the vintage buttons I picked up at the boot sale on Sunday.

 On the red and white Christmassy theme I've made some festive patchy hangers.

 I usually finish my hangers with a little corsage but these have got festive bells.

All will be accompanying me to Mrs Darling's Festival of Christmas in Upwey, Dorset on Saturday 1st December.

Keep scrolling down for details.

If you haven't seen it already, fee at Chipper Nelly is hosting a bit of a giveaway. Click on the picture below to have a go.

Lots more finishing off to do...

and possibly a big surprise next week....!



The big smoke and more bags

I've been away longer than I anticipated and I'm going to blame it on the weather! After all, what's a making post without any photos? Well today I looked at the forecast for tomorrow (rain all day) and decided the photoshoot would have to be an indoor gloomy affair. So apologies for the images.

 

After all your positive feedback on my winter bags I decided to whip up some more. They've taken a while but here they are...

Another in the lovely alpine fabric because I kept the first and have taken your advice and used it every day! Of course you were right, it's not too early, I just wasn't feeling Christmassy - see I've said it now. Anyway that weather forecast is mentioning snow next week.

a lilac barkcloth beauty

 really old cowboys

 and mid century magic.

I'm going to pop them in my Etsy shop for the time being then take them to Mrs Darling's Christmas Fayre next Saturday and see how they go down.

Earlier this week I got a rare day to myself in London. Reading her blog I narrowly missed Vintage Jane and my evening photos are going to look very similar to hers!

This market was shut but I had to get a photo of the semi 2CV.

A visit to the Tate to see the Pre Raphaelites topped off a lovely day.

Back soon with loads more making ready for next weekend.

Just hope the sun shines on Sunday as promised.



Forthcoming event

Thank you all for your lovely comments on my winter bags post and for all the email and etsy enquiries. Yes, I'm making more stuff from the alpine barkcloth! I'll let you know when I'm done and pop some things in my etsy shop.

In the meantime, posters for this fayre I'll be at have arrived so I'm passing on the details. If you're local please do spread the word.

Mrs Darling's Festival of Christmas

Upwey Old School Village Hall

Saturday 1st December

11-4pm

 

Back at the end of the week with more making.

x



Wintery making

You will note I'm not using the C word yet!

This week I got out some lovely barkcloth I've had stashed ready for this season that is hurtling towards us. Snowy alpine scenes in my favourite colours of green and bluey grey with just a smidge of red.

I had an idea I'd make some bags. This first one is from Mollie Makes and designed by Jane at Teawagon Tales. I'm really chuffed with how it turned out and wondered if it's too early for me to start using such a wintery thing?

 I had some wooden handles and have made these bags lots of times before. They are always popular at fairs.

 I lined this one in a festive polka dot fabric.

 Once I'd started using it my mind raced with what else I could do with it. A big fat lavender pillow trimmed in red ric rac appeared as if by magic. Now I'm looking carefully at what I've got left and wondering if I can eek it out into a cushion or two, more bags, hearts and a memo board or if that's just pushing my luck.

 These little pussy willow decorations will be coming with me to a fair in a few weeks. Mrs Darling's Christmas Fair at Upwey is a new one for me but Alison the organiser sounds lovely and I thought I'd give it a go. More details to follow later this week.

And finally...

No it's really not what you think. It's not festive or Decembery. It's just a bright cheery thing that caught my eye in Wilkinsons yesterday. I had to have it. I have no idea what I'll do with it but it's making me smile.